The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus 30

¹ He that loveth his son causeth him oft to feel the rod that he may have joy of him in the end ⚑

² He that chastiseth his son shall have joy in him and shall rejoice of him among his acquaintance ⚑

³ He that teacheth his son grieveth the enemy and before his friends he shall rejoice of him ⚑

⁴ Though his father die yet he is as though he were not dead for he hath left one behind him that is like himself ⚑

⁵ While he lived he saw and rejoiced in him and when he died he was not sorrowful ⚑

⁶ He left behind him an avenger against his enemies and one that shall requite kindness to his friends ⚑

⁷ He that maketh too much of his son shall bind up his wounds and his bowels will be troubled at every cry ⚑

⁸ An horse not broken becometh headstrong and a child left to himself will be wilful ⚑

⁹ Cocker thy child and he shall make thee afraid play with him and he will bring thee to heaviness ⚑

¹⁰ Laugh not with him lest thou have sorrow with him and lest thou gnash thy teeth in the end ⚑

¹¹ Give him no liberty in his youth and wink not at his follies ⚑

¹² Bow down his neck while he is young and beat him on the sides while he is a child lest he wax stubborn and be disobedient unto thee and so bring sorrow to thine heart ⚑

¹³ Chastise thy son and hold him to labour lest his lewd behaviour be an offence unto thee ⚑

¹⁴ Better is the poor being sound and strong of constitution than a rich man that is afflicted in his body ⚑

¹⁵ Health and good estate of body are above all gold and a strong body above infinite wealth ⚑

¹⁶ There is no riches above a sound body and no joy above the joy of the heart ⚑

¹⁷ Death is better than a bitter life or continual sickness ⚑

¹⁸ Delicates poured upon a mouth shut up are as messes of meat set upon a grave ⚑

¹⁹ What good doeth the offering unto an idol for neither can it eat nor smell so is he that is persecuted of the Lord ⚑

²⁰ He seeth with his eyes and groaneth as an eunuch that embraceth a virgin and sigheth ⚑

²¹ Give not over thy mind to heaviness and afflict not thyself in thine own counsel ⚑

²² The gladness of the heart is the life of man and the joyfulness of a man prolongeth his days ⚑

²³ Love thine own soul and comfort thy heart remove sorrow far from thee for sorrow hath killed many and there is no profit therein ⚑

²⁴ Envy and wrath shorten the life and carefulness bringeth age before the time ⚑

²⁵ A cheerful and good heart will have a care of his meat and diet ⚑